- something that exactly succeeds in achieving its goal
"the new advertising campaign was a bell ringer"
"scored a bull''s eye"
"hit the mark"
"the president''s speech was a home run"

- the impression created by doing something unusual or extraordinary that people notice and remember
"it was in London that he made his mark"
"he left an indelible mark on the American theater"

- marking consisting of crossing lines

- an indication of damage

- a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student''s performance)
"she made good marks in algebra"
"grade A milk"
"what was your score on your homework?"

- the shortest of the four Gospels in the New Testament

- a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
"he showed signs of strain"
"they welcomed the signs of spring"

- a symbol of disgrace or infamy
"And the Lord set a mark upon Cain"--Genesis

- a visible indication made on a surface
"some previous reader had covered the pages with dozens of marks"
"paw prints were everywhere"

- a written or printed symbol (as for punctuation)
"his answer was just a punctuation mark"

- a reference point to shoot at
"his arrow hit the mark"

- a distinguishing symbol
"the owner''s mark was on all the sheep"

- a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of

- Apostle and companion of Saint Peter

- assumed to be the author of the second Gospel

- formerly the basic unit of money in Germany

- insert punctuation marks into

- make or leave a mark on
"mark the trail so that we can find our way back"

- mark by some ceremony or observation
"We marked the anniversary of his death"

- be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait

- sometimes in a very positive sense
"His modesty distinguishes him form his peers"

- assign a grade or rank to, according to one''s evaluation
"grade tests"
"score the SAT essays"
"mark homework"

- put a check mark on or next to
"Please check each name on the list"
"tick off the items"

- remove from a list
"Cross the name of the dead person off the list"

- designate as if by a mark
"This sign marks the border"
"He indicated where the border ended"

- make underscoring marks

- establish as the highest level or best performance
"set a record"

- make small marks into the surface of
"score the clay before firing it"

- mark with a scar
"The skin disease scarred his face permanently"

- attach a tag or label to
"label these bottles"

- notice or perceive
"She noted that someone was following her"
"mark my words"

- to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful
"He denounced the government action"
"She was stigmatized by society because she had a child out of wedlock"

1. A license of reprisals. See Marque.

1. An old weight and coin. See Marc. "Lend me a mark." Chaucer.

2. The unit of monetary account of the German Empire, equal to 23.8 cents of United States money; the equivalent of one hundred pfennigs. Also, a silver coin of this value.

1. A visible sign or impression made or left upon anything; esp., a line, point, stamp, figure, or the like, drawn or impressed, so as to attract the attention and convey some information or intimation; a token; a trace.

"The Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him." -- Gen. iv. 15.

2. Specifically: (a) A character or device put on an article of merchandise by the maker to show by whom it was made; a trade-mark. (b) A character (usually a cross) made as a substitute for a signature by one who can not write.

"The mark of the artisan is found upon the most ancient fabrics that have come to light." -- Knight.

3. A fixed object serving for guidance, as of a ship, a traveler, a surveyor, etc.; as, a seamark, a landmark.

4. A trace, dot, line, imprint, or discoloration, although not regarded as a token or sign; a scratch, scar, stain, etc.; as, this pencil makes a fine mark.

"I have some marks of yours upon my pate." -- Shak.

5. An evidence of presence, agency, or influence; a significative token; a symptom; a trace; specifically, a permanent impression of one's activity or character.

"The confusion of tongues was a mark of separation." -- Bacon.

6. That toward which a missile is directed; a thing aimed at; what one seeks to hit or reach.

"France was a fairer mark to shoot at than Ireland." -- Davies.

"Whate'er the motive, pleasure is the mark." -- Young.

7. Attention, regard, or respect.

"As much in mock as mark." -- Shak.

8. Limit or standard of action or fact; as, to be within the mark; to come up to the mark.

9. Badge or sign of honor, rank, or official station.

"In the official marks invested, you Anon do meet the Senate." -- Shak.

10. Preëminence; high position; as, patricians of mark; a fellow of no mark.

11. (Logic) A characteristic or essential attribute; a differential.

12. A number or other character used in registering; as, examination marks; a mark for tardiness.

13. Image; likeness; hence, those formed in one's image; children; descendants. [Obs.] "All the mark of Adam." Chaucer.

14. (Naut.) One of the bits of leather or colored bunting which are placed upon a sounding line at intervals of from two to five fathoms. The unmarked fathoms are called "deeps."

A man of mark
a conspicuous or eminent man.

To make one's mark
(a) To sign, as a letter or other writing, by making a cross or other mark. (b) To make a distinct or lasting impression on the public mind, or on affairs; to gain distinction.

Syn. -- Impress; impression; stamp; print; trace; vestige; track; characteristic; evidence; proof; token; badge; indication; symptom.

1. To put a mark upon; to affix a significant mark to; to make recognizable by a mark; as, to mark a box or bale of merchandise; to mark clothing.

2. To be a mark upon; to designate; to indicate; -- used literally and figuratively; as, this monument marks the spot where Wolfe died; his courage and energy marked him for a leader.

3. To leave a trace, scratch, scar, or other mark, upon, or any evidence of action; as, a pencil marks paper; his hobnails marked the floor.

4. To keep account of; to enumerate and register; as, to mark the points in a game of billiards or cards.

5. To notice or observe; to give attention to; to take note of; to remark; to heed; to regard. "Mark the perfect man." Ps. xxxvii. 37.

To mark out
(a) To designate, as by a mark; to select; as, the ringleaders were marked out for punishment. (b) To obliterate or cancel with a mark; as, to mark out an item in an account.

To mark time
(Mil.), to keep the time of a marching step by moving the legs alternately without advancing.

Syn. -- To note; remark; notice; observe; regard; heed; show; evince; indicate; point out; betoken; denote; characterize; stamp; imprint; impress; brand.

1. To take particular notice; to observe critically; to note; to remark.

"Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief." -- 1 Kings xx. 7.